Fig.1 Roche de Mio looking across to the Bellecote peak

Above 2000m you have plenty of snow. It is groomed thoroughly every evening and in the morning is hard and covered in ice-balls. This softens up into sliding icing for the middle of the day. You go higher.

Fig.2 17th April 2008 The Bellevarde Glacier La Plagne’s highest list going above 3000m

In La Plagne you get to 3050m where there have been a few centimetres of fresh snow.

Fig.3 Chalet de Bellecôte up to Col de la Chaupe 2550m

Over in Les Arcs on the Auguille Rouge you get up to 3250m. Total block is required in the sun. Your face risks burning like bacon left on the hob.

Fig.4. Skiing in late April 2013: Too much snow? So much gaps had to be cut through drifts and avalanches. 3m!

Two years ago there had been so much snow we…